Shopping at the supermarket became slightly cheaper in March, with food prices down 0.3 per cent.

But for the past year, prices are still up 1.2 per cent.

Statistics NZ figures for March show prices fell for some groceries including snacks, biscuits, and cheese, but that was partly countered by higher prices for beef and vegetables.

The 1.6 per cent fall for groceries was influenced by price falls across most of the subgroup including sweets, nuts, and snacks (down 3.5 per cent); bread and cereals (down 1.8 per cent); and milk, cheese, and eggs (down 0.6 per cent).

Meat, poultry, and fish prices rose 0.9 per cent, influenced by a 2.9 per cent rise in beef prices.

Beef prices are now 2.3 per cent below their February 2012 peak.

Fruit and vegetable prices rose 0.5 per cent in March.

Higher prices for avocados, tomatoes, and strawberries were partly countered by seasonally lower prices for apples and kumara.